A lien (pronounced lean) is a legal right, claim, or interest in another person’s property that remains until a debt is paid or an obligation is fulfilled. For example, a lien may be placed on real property to secure a contractor’s claim for payment for work or materials provided to improve the property (a mechanic’s lien) or by a homeowners’ association to secure payment for unpaid dues or assessments against an individual homeowner.

There are many different types of liens related to real property and the laws regarding these liens may vary from state to state.

In Oregon, a lien is a legal claim against property to secure payment of a debt or fulfillment of an obligation. One common type of lien is a mechanic's lien, which contractors, subcontractors, or suppliers can file against a property they have worked on or supplied materials for, to ensure they are paid for their services or materials. To enforce a mechanic's lien, the claimant must follow specific procedures, including timely recording the lien with the county recorder's office and potentially filing a lawsuit to foreclose on the lien if the debt is not paid. Homeowners' associations (HOAs) in Oregon also have the right to place liens on properties within their association for unpaid dues or assessments. These liens can lead to foreclosure if the homeowner does not pay the outstanding amounts. Oregon law sets forth the requirements for creating, recording, and enforcing these and other types of liens, and the process can be complex, often necessitating the assistance of an attorney to navigate.